"Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd…"

Around the MLB Horn 20 Jan 2011

When was the last time the Toronto Blue Jays were in the news? Its been awhile. But recent talks of the Jays trying resign Jose Bautista has been nothing short of a headache. Bautista stormed the 2010 season by breaking the single season franchise record with 50+ home runs. Bautista made a ******** $2.4 million dollars last season, and now is looking for quite a pay raise. Unfortunatly the Jays have countered his $10.5 million dollar offer with a $7.6 million dollar offer. Bautista is due to go into arbitration in about a month. The nearly $3 million dollar difference is the second largest gap in the Major Leagues. Only Josh Hamiliton has the largest salary gap involving arbitration at $3.3 million dollars.

Alex Anthopoulos has claimed that talks with Jose Bautista have been going well, and even though they havent came to a salary agreement, Anthopoulos is confident that something will happen prior to this going into arbitration. Whatever his strategy is, Anthopoulos doesnt plan on tipping his hand to the public anytime soon.

Remember Armando Galarraga? Remember Jim Joyce blowing the final out call that stole Armando Galarragas no-hitter away? Well, now the Detroit Tigers are looking to trade Galarraga away. Although the Tigers are still on the hook for Galarragas full salary if he clears waivers and they outright him to Triple-A Toledo next week. The Tigers are looking to fill their back end rotation with a stronger fifth starter which prompted to trade Gallaragga away.

More talk on Albert Pujols. Now sources are saying that the Florida Marlins are going to chase him if Pujols reaches free agency. The Marlins are moving into a new stadium for the 2012 season, and having Pujols on the team would make a great welcome gift to the fans. Not only that but when the Marlins get a new stadium that means the payroll increases for the Marlins which in essence would allow them to afford Pujols. The Marlins management have stated that they dont want to sign Pujols if they cant surround him with support like the Rangers did years ago with Alex Rodriguez. Albert Pujols hs kept the talk rumors to a minimum of what he wants to do. Whether he wants to stay in St Louis or seek employment elsewhere. But the Cardinals are on a deadline. Pujols wants to focus on baseball, and not contracts when spring training starts. So the days are numbered for the Cardinals.

Carl Pavano will be staying in Minnesota for the next two years. He will be pulling down $16.5 million for the two seasons, and that puts a big smile on Manager Ron Gardenhires face. ” He gave me an ulcer by not signing earlier.” Gardenhire said with a laugh. ” I had a big interest about what was going on with the team, too.” Pavano said during a conference call. ” Its not just about me.” He added.

The Minnesota Twins 2011 Winter Caravan has already kicked off, and Manageer Ron Gardenhire is onboard for the first leg. Gardenhire can expect many questions regarding Pavano during the 51st annual Winter Caravan but the skipper was confident that something wouldve worked out this week.

Jose Reyes of the New York Mets has been talking about wanting a long term contract but wants to get it done before spring training starts. ” I dont want to talk about my contract during the season.” Reyes said Wednesday during a kids charity event. ” I want to focus on doing my thing, trying to help this team win a lot of ballgames.” Understandably so but with injury-plagued seasons in the past Reyes may be forced to take less money with an extension before he goes into free agency for the first time in his career. ” The last two years have been a little rough for me and tough, because I wasnt able to stay healthy on the field,” Reyes said. ” This year is different. I feel good. I feel 100 percent.”

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Thought processes and conversations started under the tilted cap of Tropicana Field. Someday everyone will know the Rays play in St. Petersburg, Florida, not TAMPA, or the fictitious city of TAMPA BAY.